- 2 hours ago
First broadcast 22nd January 1980.
Robin tires of having to ask for permission before buying essential items.
Richard O'Sullivan - Robin
Tessa Wyatt - Vicky
Tony Britton - James Nicholls
David Kelly - Albert
Peggy Aitchison - Gertrude
Max Mundy - Uncle Sean
Robin tires of having to ask for permission before buying essential items.
Richard O'Sullivan - Robin
Tessa Wyatt - Vicky
Tony Britton - James Nicholls
David Kelly - Albert
Peggy Aitchison - Gertrude
Max Mundy - Uncle Sean
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:27I'll see you next time
00:55Useless.
00:58Useless.
01:04Do you know, Gertrude, we'll have to buy some new ones.
01:07Do you know, I've had this one all my working life.
01:10I got it when I passed my catering exams.
01:13Present, was it?
01:14Well, sort of. I nicked it from the college canteen.
01:18Hey, I knew I made that curry too hot.
01:22Oh, Mr Tripp.
01:23Well, I'd better throw them away.
01:25Do you know, it's funny, Gertrude, it's like saying goodbye to an old friend.
01:28I'm just the same about hot water bottles.
01:31I can't bear to throw them away.
01:33Really?
01:34Because when you come to think of it, Mr Tripp, what is hot water bottle?
01:40Well, er...
01:41It's more of a companion.
01:43It keeps you warm and you can cuddle it in bed.
01:48And it doesn't answer back.
01:51Oh, you do make me laugh, Mr Tripp.
01:54Oh, by the way, you'd better buy a new dustpan as well.
01:58But that is a new dustpan.
01:59I only got it last week.
02:00Well, it's cracked.
02:02Someone must have trod on it.
02:04These things aren't made to last.
02:06Well, they're made to last a lot longer than a week.
02:08Well, I'll get rid of these.
02:10There you go.
02:10Can you take them outside, Gertrude?
02:12Yep.
02:12Thanks a lot.
02:13Yep.
02:13Off you go.
02:17Gertrude.
02:18I'm stuck.
02:19Oh, where's Gertrude?
02:20Er, outside.
02:21Listen, I've just got to pop out and buy some new cooking pots, all right, from the supplies.
02:23Well, don't forget to check with Dad first.
02:26Vicki, this is my restaurant as well, you know.
02:29We are partners.
02:30Yes, but you know how funny Dad is if you spend a penny without consulting him.
02:35I, er, don't have to consult him or rather...
02:38You know what I mean.
02:39Well, Vicki, I think it's high time we bought your father out.
02:42What?
02:42Yeah, I think we should buy your father out.
02:45Well, we haven't got any money.
02:47Who'd borrow it?
02:47Well, I don't think Dad'll lend it to us.
02:51No, Vicki, Vicki, not from your dad.
02:53From the bank, you see.
02:55Because I get on quite well with the bank manager.
02:57Sent him a Christmas card.
02:59Hmm.
02:59Well, I don't know, Robin.
03:00How much would you have to borrow?
03:02Now, don't you worry your pretty head about such mundane matters.
03:05You leave the financial side to me.
03:07Okay?
03:08Okay.
03:09Oh, Vicki, can you lend us a few bob for the bus?
03:11I haven't got a penny on it.
03:13My bag's upstairs.
03:14Robin, I don't know what Dad's gonna say.
03:16Vicki, I don't care what your Dad's gonna say.
03:19Now, listen.
03:20We're gonna have a little baby this year, right?
03:23And it's high time we stand on our own two feet.
03:25I'm sick of having to check with your father if we want to do this, that or the other.
03:29You don't have to check with him if you want to do the other.
03:45Gertrude, have you seen the stage?
03:46Just a moment, Mr. Tripp.
03:48I'll be right with you.
03:49I've only got one pair of ends.
03:50Yes, I know you have, but...
03:51Just four more rows of rib, and that's in it, Ben.
03:55Oh, I'm sorry, I spoke.
03:57I just sort of work here.
03:58Oh, shush, Robin.
03:59We're trying to concentrate.
04:00Go on, Gertrude.
04:01Well, I think you should...
04:02Now, listen, ladies.
04:02I'm sorry to break up the knitting circle, but I am expecting a party of four in a few hours.
04:07Well, I'm expecting a party of one in a few months, which is more important.
04:11Listen, my lot are coming at seven o'clock this evening, right?
04:14Our baby is not due until mid-April.
04:16Now, even allowing for the earliest possible arrival, I don't think our baby is going to come before seven o
04:21'clock this evening.
04:22If your baby comes in April, it'll be an Aries.
04:25A little ram.
04:30Just like its father.
04:33I'm not an Aries.
04:34No, but you're a little...
04:35Vicky!
04:45Good afternoon, Gertrude.
04:47On that dustpan.
04:48What dustpan?
04:51Oh, that dustpan.
04:52Oh, Mr. Nichols, you've broken it.
04:55Whatever will Mr. Tripp say.
04:58Oh, never mind about that, Gertrude.
05:00It's my dustpan as much as it is his.
05:04Hello, Dad.
05:05Hello, darling.
05:06Afternoon, Tripp.
05:09Afternoon, Nichols.
05:12Darling, I brought you some more wool.
05:13Oh, lovely.
05:14Oh, Dad, look.
05:15What do you think of my first attempt at booties?
05:17Oh.
05:24Yes, they're really lovely.
05:27Are you opening later than usual tonight?
05:29No, why?
05:30Well, you're still washing up.
05:31Gertrude's still sweeping up.
05:33Why are you all so behindhand?
05:34Well, ask the chairman of the Women's Institute.
05:37The whole place is going to pot.
05:39I'm talking about pots.
05:40I had to buy some new ones today,
05:41and some new Brillo pads,
05:42which came to £22.39,
05:44so you owe me £11.90.
05:47£22.30?
05:48Why didn't you tell me?
05:49I've got contacts.
05:50I could have got them wholesale.
05:51I did get them wholesale.
05:52Well, but £22.39.
05:54Really?
05:54Mr. Nichols, we are running a restaurant.
05:56I'm sorry I have to buy little luxuries like
05:58cooking pots and Brillo pads.
06:01Well, what was wrong with the old ones?
06:02Well, after you use them a little while,
06:04you see, there's no suds left in them.
06:05No, no, no.
06:07I'm talking about the old pots.
06:10Precisely, they're old pots.
06:11And that is why you owe me £11.90.50.
06:14All right, all right, I'll pay you.
06:17When it comes to money, you're so petty.
06:19Petty?
06:20Yes.
06:20Me?
06:21Yes.
06:22I'm still waiting for your contributions
06:23for Christmas decorations.
06:25There, you see what I mean, Victoria.
06:26I'm talking about Christmas 78.
06:29For heaven's sake, stop it, the pair of you.
06:32Whatever happened to your New Year resolutions?
06:35Well...
06:35You're more like a couple of kids than business partners.
06:38Yes, now, talking about business partners,
06:40Mr. Nichols, there's something rather important
06:43I'd like to discuss with you.
06:44Do you really like them, Dad?
06:46Oh, yes, darling.
06:46I have a proposition that I'd like to put to you.
06:49What are you making now?
06:50Oh, well, that's good.
06:51I want to buy you out.
06:52Jacket.
06:56Jacket.
06:57Jacket.
06:58Um, I'd like to, um, buy you, uh...
07:02Out.
07:03Um, you know, part of the business.
07:06Uh, I'd like, I'd like to buy your share of the restaurant.
07:09I thought I'd make this bonnet.
07:11A takeover bid, is it?
07:14Well, this is gonna rock the stock market.
07:17I can just, I can just see the headlines now
07:20in the Financial Times.
07:22Boardroom battle in the Bistro.
07:23Rebel trip attempts to oust Nichols.
07:26There is no need to be sarcastic.
07:28No, there's no need to be so sarcastic.
07:30Well, really, Victoria.
07:31Have you any idea how much it would cost
07:33to buy my share of the business?
07:34I am the senior partner, remember?
07:36No.
07:36My husband doesn't allow me to worry
07:38about the business side of things.
07:39Oh, doesn't he?
07:40Well, he certainly allows me to worry about it.
07:44How much are you thinking of bidding?
07:4710,000.
07:51Uh, f-f-f-fif-fifteen?
07:56Double it, and we might be in an area for discussion.
07:59Yes, well, these things are obviously negotiable.
08:01Oh, yes, yes, indeed, yes.
08:03Well, now, let's suppose that I am willing to sell,
08:06and let's suppose that we've arrived at an agreed price.
08:10How, may I ask, do you propose
08:11to raise the necessary spondulics?
08:14To what?
08:15The readies?
08:17The cash?
08:18Where are you going to get the finance
08:20for this first big takeover bid of the 1980s?
08:22We thought we'd borrow it.
08:23Yes, we thought we'd borrow it.
08:25We?
08:26We?
08:27We?
08:29Et tu, Brute?
08:31A two-pronged attack, eh?
08:33You persuaded my daughter to join you in this underhand plot.
08:36Well, I had to sleep with her first,
08:38get her on my side.
08:41Turning her daughter against her father.
08:43Oh, Dad, don't be silly.
08:45Robin just feels he wants to be his own boss.
08:48Is that such a bad thing?
08:49He wants to be independent.
08:51Yes, I want to be able to go out and buy Brillo pads
08:54without checking with you first.
08:56All right, all right.
08:57And where are you going to borrow the money?
09:00The bank.
09:01Oh, I see.
09:02Merchant bank, of course.
09:04Which one is to have the honour of your custom?
09:06Rothschilds?
09:07Kaiser Allmans?
09:08Warburgs?
09:09Local branch down the Fulham Road.
09:15Listen, I get on very well with my bank manager,
09:18as it so happens.
09:19Oh, really?
09:20Yes.
09:20Oh, well, you go and see him,
09:21and then we'll have another talk about it.
09:23Yes, I will.
09:24Do.
09:25Yes, yes.
09:26I shall make an appointment for tomorrow morning.
09:29Let me know how you get on.
09:30Oh, yes, I will.
09:31Yes.
09:33Oh, fine.
09:34Yes, fine.
09:37Oh, my dear boy.
09:39You have so much to learn about the world of business.
09:47Well, I always beat you at Monopoly.
09:54Oh, Mr. Tripp.
09:56Hmm?
09:56I do hope you've not had a bereavement.
10:02No, why?
10:03Well, you look so smart.
10:05I thought you must be going to funeral.
10:08No, it wasn't that good.
10:09I'm going to see the bank manager.
10:11Listen, isn't Vicki back from the hospital yet?
10:13She shouldn't be this long.
10:14Honestly, a normal check-up doesn't take that long, does it?
10:17Oh, a check-up can be quick, but it's the queuing that takes so long.
10:22Well, I'm just off to the shops.
10:25Shall I get a new dustpan?
10:27Yes, why not?
10:28What colour shall we have today?
10:32Oh, that's what I like about you, Mr. Tripp.
10:35You've got such a funny sense of humour.
10:43Oh, hello, Mrs. Tripp.
10:45Everything all right?
10:46Yes, fine.
10:47What's this?
10:48Oh, it looks like a snack bar.
10:50What a cheek.
10:57Robin, you'll never guess what's happened.
10:59Vicki, Vicki, what's the matter?
11:00Is everything all right?
11:01What did the doctor say?
11:02It's a snack bar.
11:05What?
11:07There's a snack bar open, and it's serving cups of tea and bacon sandwiches.
11:13What do you want me to buy one or something?
11:15No, Robin, it's a snack bar.
11:17It's on wheels.
11:18It's parked outside the front.
11:19You what?
11:20Yes, that's great for our business, isn't it?
11:22Having a snack bar outside the front door.
11:24What a liberty!
11:34Don't believe.
11:35Albert.
11:36Hello there, Mr. Tripp.
11:37Would you go for a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich, huh?
11:40laughter
12:03Albert, what on earth do you think you're doing?
12:05You can't start serving meals outside our restaurant.
12:08I didn't intend to, Mr. Tripp. No, we just parked here to come and see you.
12:12And then somebody ordered a cup of tea and a cheese roll and business just started booming.
12:18Really?
12:19Oh, by the way, this is me Uncle Sean. He's driving us around until I pass the test.
12:24Uncle Sean, these are me friends, Mr. and Mrs. Tripp.
12:28Oh, hello.
12:29Hello.
12:33Well, Mrs. Tripp, what was it? A boy or a girl?
12:36What?
12:37What did you have, a boy or a girl?
12:40I haven't had it yet, Albert. It's not due till April.
12:43Oh, very nice. Mrs. Tripp's having a baby in April.
12:47Oh, lovely.
12:52So, um, so this is your cafe, Albert?
12:56Eh, yes, Mr. Tripp.
12:57The one that's in Watford?
12:58Eh, that's right, Mr. Tripp.
13:00Well, of course, I mean, it's here now, isn't it?
13:02No, but it will be in Watford. Uncle Sean's driving it back this afternoon.
13:07How do you like it?
13:09Well, I think it's, uh, it's very nice.
13:12Yes, I like the name, Albert.
13:13Thanks, yeah.
13:15Um, uh, by the way, I was, um, I was wondering, is, um, is Gertrude about?
13:23Oh, you see, he didn't come to see us.
13:24He came to clock Gertrude, see what she looks like.
13:27Yeah, not at all, Mr. Tripp, not at all.
13:29No, I really came to see you.
13:31Oh, I bet.
13:32Yeah, that's right.
13:33I came to offer your business proposition.
13:35What?
13:37And, um, to be quite honest, I've run into a bit of financial difficulty.
13:43And I was wondering if you'd like to buy a share of me cafe.
13:49Don't believe it.
13:49Listen, Albert, I've got enough troubles of mine, I'm just off to the bank manager myself.
13:52Oh.
13:53But I'll tell you what you should do, though.
13:55You should have a word with my sleeping partner.
13:58Who?
13:59Mr. Nichols, you know, he knows all about the world of business.
14:17Riddle, what on earth?
14:19Hello, Mr. Nichols, sir.
14:21I hope you don't mind me calling on you like this.
14:23Well, what do you want?
14:24Well, there's something very important I'd like to discuss with you.
14:27Oh.
14:27Well, you'd better come in, I suppose.
14:28Eh, thanks, Mr. Nichols, sir.
14:33Well, eh, you see, you remember I came into a bit of money before Christmas?
14:38Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
14:40Well, I, um, I bought this city property, and I was wondering if you'd care to take a look at
14:47it.
14:48What?
14:49I'm based in what...
14:50I'm terribly sorry, Riddle.
14:52It's quite under the question today.
14:53I'm far too busy, I'm afraid.
14:57Why, on earth, do you want me to look at it?
14:59Well, I happen to know that you're Mr. Tripp's sleeping partner.
15:03Yes, that's right.
15:05And I was wondering if you'd like to sleep with me.
15:16Oh, I'll get it.
15:20Hello, Robin's Nest.
15:21Can I help you?
15:23Oh, hello, dear.
15:25It's my sister.
15:26I gave her this number.
15:27I hope you don't mind.
15:29Oh, of course I know it's your anniversary on Saturday.
15:33I sent you a card.
15:35Don't worry.
15:36Yeah.
15:37Where's Harry taking you?
15:39Oh, I don't know.
15:41Oh, I'll ask Mrs. Tripp.
15:42Hold on.
15:43Mrs. Tripp, it's my sister's anniversary on Saturday, and her old man's taking her out.
15:49Do you know any good restaurants?
15:53Oh, I suppose you could come here.
15:57Yeah.
15:58The food?
15:59Oh, it's quite nice.
16:02Foreign?
16:03Lots of garlic.
16:05Oh, yeah.
16:07Yeah, I think you're right.
16:08You know how fussy Harry is.
16:11Well, we do do plain food as well, Gertrude.
16:13Oh, no, but Harry's very funny about his food.
16:16Just the smell of garlic in here, and he'd keel over.
16:24Oh, yeah.
16:26All right, then, yes.
16:27You sort something out.
16:29Yeah.
16:29See you Saturday.
16:34Harry can't stand this foreign muck.
16:39We only serve the very highest quality foreign muck.
16:42Oh, I know that.
16:43Oh, good.
16:46Robin, how did you get on?
16:49Gertrude, could you finish laying the tables for me?
16:51Oh, yes, of course, please.
16:52Thank you, Jane.
16:54Well, what did the bank manager say?
16:57Well, he said I've got no money.
16:59We knew that before you went.
17:00Will he lend you any?
17:02Yes, if I offer him some security.
17:04And what can you offer him?
17:05Nothing, so he's not lending me any money.
17:09Still, he did thank me for the Christmas card.
17:11Well, that was nice.
17:12Didn't help, though, me getting dressed up in my best suit.
17:15Why not?
17:15Well, he said, in view of my financial situation, should I be spending so much money on clothes?
17:22She?
17:23Still, though, it's made me realise one thing, you know.
17:25You're far the back of me.
17:27You know, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have opened a restaurant so quickly, would I?
17:31No.
17:31Hello?
17:32Don't say.
17:33No, no.
17:34Hello.
17:36Hello.
17:36Hello, darling.
17:36Dad.
17:38Well.
17:40Well, what?
17:42Well.
17:43How did you get on at the bank?
17:45Well, I'm waiting for your next bid.
17:48Well, after intensive discussions with my financial advisers, I've decided to withdraw my offer.
17:55Oh, really?
17:57A word of advice to you, my boy.
17:58Oh, here we go.
17:59Go.
17:59No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
18:01You stick to the cooking and leave the business side to me.
18:04All right, Dad.
18:05There's no need to rub it in.
18:06No, no, no, no.
18:07I mean it.
18:07He is an excellent chef.
18:09Now, I just happen to have an instinct for business, that's all.
18:11Actually, he's quite right.
18:13I'll give you an example.
18:14A property came up this morning.
18:16I haven't seen it yet.
18:19But I know it's going to be a very good investment.
18:22Well, how do you know it's going to be a good investment if you haven't seen it?
18:25Instinct, my boy.
18:25I have a nose for business.
18:27Where is this property?
18:28It's in Watford.
18:31I'm going to see it tomorrow morning.
18:33Watford?
18:34Oh, Albert's in Watford.
18:35Well, as a matter of fact, it's Albert's cafe I'm going to have a look at.
18:38What?
18:39Yeah.
18:42And I know that I'm going to get it very cheaply.
18:44But, Dad...
18:45No, it's all right, darling.
18:46I know what you're going to say.
18:47That would be taking advantage of poor Albert.
18:49But after all, he came to see me and business is business.
18:52Dad, really?
18:53No, no, no, no, no, Vicky.
18:55Vicky.
18:58Your father, he's absolutely right.
18:59And I think we could possibly learn a thing or two.
19:02Oh, Robbie.
19:02No, no, Vicky, please, please, Vicky, Vicky.
19:06Tell me, Miss Nichols, why do you think this property of Albert's is going to be such a good investment?
19:12Well, as I say, I'm bound to get it very cheaply.
19:15Watford is a prime position.
19:16So, either I can build up the catering side into a first-class restaurant, or I can consider redeveloping the
19:23property into a block of flats.
19:29Anyway, Riddle is coming around to see me to my flat in the morning.
19:32Now, why don't you come around, too, and then we'll all drive down together and have a look at it.
19:36Oh, we'd love to.
19:43Is it much further, Riddle?
19:44No, we'll be down in a few minutes.
19:46You said it was the other side of Watford?
19:48That's right, Mr. Nichols.
19:49Well, this is the other side of Watford.
19:51Not anymore, Mr. Nichols, you see, because now that we are here, this is this side of Watford,
19:58and the other side of Watford is the other side.
20:02Well, I hope you know where you're going, Riddle.
20:07I mean, this place of yours could be anywhere.
20:09It could be Birmingham.
20:10I mean, that's the other side of Watford.
20:12You know, no, no, no, no, no, no, you see, because now, you see, Birmingham is this side of Watford,
20:17and London is the other side of Watford.
20:21Will you shut up?
20:23I'm trying to point out to you, Mr. Nichols, that there are two sides to everything, even Watford.
20:28Robin.
20:29Shut up.
20:30Don't worry, Mr. Nichols, we'll be there in a few minutes.
20:33I am not in the least worried, Riddle.
20:36I just hope at all this is going to be worthwhile.
20:39Oh, I think so, Mr. Nichols.
20:40But, you know, I've got a very good feeling about all this.
20:51Are you sure this is the right place, Riddle?
20:53He's terribly isolated around here.
20:55There it is!
20:56There!
21:06Mr. Nichols, don't you think this is a rather dangerous place to find?
21:38What do you think, Mr. Nichols?
21:40Block of flats, perhaps, or are you going to pursue the catering side of it?
21:46You knew!
21:50Would anybody like a puberty?
21:52It won't take me long to brew up.
21:54Well, I wouldn't say no, I...
21:55Shut up, Tripp!
21:57Riddle, you have dragged me to the outer reaches of Watford, with a view to buying a share in
22:01this, this...
22:05Mr. Nichols, you haven't surveyed the property yet, have you?
22:08Ah, yes, Mr. Nichols, give it a chance.
22:11Dad, don't get excited.
22:14Don't you like it, then, Mr. Nichols?
22:16Oh, yes, Albert, it's lovely.
22:19Just that, well, I think Dad pictured something a little bit different.
22:23Oh.
22:23Well, I mean, look at it, Riddle.
22:25I mean, it isn't even safe.
22:26It could easily roll off the road.
22:28No, no, it can't.
22:30I've got this under the wheel.
22:59Oh, let's get into it, Riddle.
23:05Well, as I was saying, this is what stops it from rolling down the road.
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